Japan · month by month
Tokyo food calendar
What is in season in Tokyo, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Tokyo
Shoulder seasonThe best of January: Osechi and ozoni, Fugu hot pot.
In season
- Fugu (blowfish) hot potDec–Feb
- Oden stalls and winter strawberries (Tochiotome, Amaou)Dec–Feb
- Kani (winter crab) and buri (yellowtail)
Snow crab and fatty winter yellowtail at the sushi counters.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Osechi and ozoniNew Year
The lacquered boxes of New Year dishes and mochi soup; many restaurants close for the first three days.
Plan around
- New Year closures1-3 January
Most small restaurants close for the first days of January.
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Tokyo
Shoulder seasonThe best of February: Fugu hot pot, Oden stalls and winter strawberries.
In season
- Fugu (blowfish) hot potDec–Feb
- Oden stalls and winter strawberries (Tochiotome, Amaou)Dec–Feb
- Kani (winter crab) and buri (yellowtail)
Snow crab and fatty winter yellowtail at the sushi counters.
Nov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Tokyo
Peak seasonThe best of March: Sakura wagashi, takenoko, hanami bento, Takenoko and sansai, Ueno Sakura Matsuri.
In season
- Sakura wagashi, takenoko (bamboo shoots), hanami bentoMar–Apr
- Takenoko and sansai
Bamboo shoots and wild mountain vegetables on kaiseki and izakaya menus.
Mar–May
On the calendar
- Ueno Sakura Matsuri
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsCherry blossom seasonUsually late March to early April · a season, not a single date
Picnics under the cherry blossoms, with sakura mochi, seasonal bento and street-food stalls in the big parks.
How to go: Book hotels months ahead; spread a mat early in Ueno Park or along Kyoto's Philosopher's Path.
Mar–Apr
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Tokyo
Peak seasonThe best of April: Sakura wagashi, takenoko, hanami bento, Takenoko and sansai, Sake Festival Japan.
In season
- Sakura wagashi, takenoko (bamboo shoots), hanami bentoMar–Apr
- Takenoko and sansai
Bamboo shoots and wild mountain vegetables on kaiseki and izakaya menus.
Mar–May
On the calendar
- Sake Festival Japan
16-18 Apr 2027 EXPECTED, tickets needed, no price listed
- Niku Fes (Meat Festival)
29 Apr-10 May 2027 EXPECTED, tickets needed; runs into May
- Craft Gyoza Fes Tokyo
29 Apr-6 May 2027 EXPECTED, 8 days, tickets needed
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsCherry blossom seasonUsually late March to early April · a season, not a single date
Picnics under the cherry blossoms, with sakura mochi, seasonal bento and street-food stalls in the big parks.
How to go: Book hotels months ahead; spread a mat early in Ueno Park or along Kyoto's Philosopher's Path.
Mar–Apr
Plan around
- Golden Weeklate April to early May
Japan's travel week; trains and restaurants are full.
Apr–May
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Tokyo
Shoulder seasonThe best of May: Ayu, Katsuo and Sanja Matsuri Asakusa.
In season
- Ayu (sweetfish)
- Katsuo (bonito)
The first bonito of the year, seared as tataki.
May–Jun - Takenoko and sansai
Bamboo shoots and wild mountain vegetables on kaiseki and izakaya menus.
Mar–May
On the calendar
- Sanja Matsuri Asakusa
- Kanda Matsuri
Plan around
- Golden Weeklate April to early May
Japan's travel week; trains and restaurants are full.
Apr–May
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Tokyo
A hard monthThe best of June: Katsuo, Hamo and kakigori, BeerFes Tokyo.
In season
- Katsuo (bonito)
The first bonito of the year, seared as tataki.
May–Jun - Hamo and kakigori (shaved ice)Jun–Aug
On the calendar
- BeerFes Tokyo
Plan around
- Rainy seasonJune to mid July
Tsuyu: humid and wet.
Jun–Jul
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Tokyo
A hard monthThe best of July: Unagi, Unagi for Doyo no Ushi no Hi, Bon odori and festival stalls.
In season
- Unagi (eel) for Doyo no Ushi no Hi
- Hamo and kakigori (shaved ice)Jun–Aug
Eat it now
- UnagiDay of the Ox in late July
Grilled eel for stamina in the heat; lines at the eel houses.
On the calendar
- Bon odori and festival stallssummer
Yakisoba, takoyaki and kakigori at summer matsuri across the city.
Jul–Aug
Plan around
- Rainy seasonJune to mid July
Tsuyu: humid and wet.
Jun–Jul
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Tokyo
A hard monthThe best of August: Hamo and kakigori, Bon odori and festival stalls.
In season
- Hamo and kakigori (shaved ice)Jun–Aug
On the calendar
- Bon odori and festival stallssummer
Yakisoba, takoyaki and kakigori at summer matsuri across the city.
Jul–Aug
Plan around
- Closures
Obon (~13-16 Aug, company break not a holiday): city empties, restaurants may be easier to book; 2027 dates not announced (watabi.org)
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Tokyo
The best of September: Sanma.
In season
- Sanma (Pacific saury)Sep–Oct
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Tokyo
Peak seasonThe best of October: Sanma, Matsutake mushroom and shinmai, Tsukiji Autumn Festival.
In season
- Sanma (Pacific saury)Sep–Oct
- Matsutake mushroom and shinmai (new rice)Oct–Nov
On the calendar
- Tsukiji Autumn Festival
30 Oct-1 Nov 2026, free entry
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsTokyo Ramen Show23 October to 3 November 2026 · pencilled in, not confirmed yet (in three rounds; confirm on the official site) · Japan Travel, checked Oct 24, 2026
Ramen shops from every region of Japan line up in one park, from Hakata tonkotsu to Sapporo miso.
How to go: Buy meal tickets at the gate; go on a weekday afternoon.
Oct–Nov
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Tokyo
Peak seasonThe best of November: Matsutake mushroom and shinmai, Kani and buri, Tori-no-Ichi Asakusa.
In season
- Matsutake mushroom and shinmai (new rice)Oct–Nov
- Kani (winter crab) and buri (yellowtail)
Snow crab and fatty winter yellowtail at the sushi counters.
Nov–Feb
On the calendar
- Tori-no-Ichi Asakusa
6-30 Nov 2026, about 25 days, free entry
- Setagaya Pan Matsuri (bread festival)
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsTokyo Ramen Show23 October to 3 November 2026 · pencilled in, not confirmed yet (in three rounds; confirm on the official site) · Japan Travel, checked Oct 24, 2026
Ramen shops from every region of Japan line up in one park, from Hakata tonkotsu to Sapporo miso.
How to go: Buy meal tickets at the gate; go on a weekday afternoon.
Oct–Nov
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Tokyo
The best of December: Christmas cake and Fugu hot pot.
In season
- Fugu (blowfish) hot potDec–Feb
- Oden stalls and winter strawberries (Tochiotome, Amaou)Dec–Feb
- Kani (winter crab) and buri (yellowtail)
Snow crab and fatty winter yellowtail at the sushi counters.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Christmas cakeChristmas Eve
Strawberry shortcake, ordered weeks ahead.
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.